text:
Last week, Newsweek (sub. Washington Post/WPO) writer Daniel Lyons published an article entitled A Decade of Destruction, looking at the Internet's impact on various types of media in the past 10 years. Lyons begins with:
The past decade is the era in which the Internet ruined everything. Just look at the industries that have been damaged by the rise of the Web: Newspapers. Magazines. Books. TV. Movies. Music. Retailers of almost any kind, from cars to real estate. Telecommunications. Airlines and hotels. Wherever companies relied on advertising to make money, wherever companies were profiting by a lack of transparency or a lack of competition, wherever friction could be polished out of the system, those industries suffered.
Ignore the fact that media of all types is meant to catch your eye and—nowadays—your click. Headlines and openers are editorialized for maximum sensationalism. The sad part is that this isn't even at the highest crux of possible sensationalism: it's almost true, too.
Lyons, we know that the internet has affected your employer's business and of Forbes as well (where he served as senior editor previously). If there's anything that the internet has really killed, it's print media. Yes, it can be disemminated quicker on the internet. It can be pirated on the internet. It can be much harder to monetize on the internet.
And yes, advertising is hard on the internet. For too long, users have been able to enjoy being able to access information for free, getting used to and ignoring advertising, and condemning more intrustive yet more profitable and novel types of advertising, such as video advertisements and interstitial pages. Indeed, the money that allowed these users to enjoy free and open access to information originally blocked by a paywall leaked from media corporation balance sheets.
This cultured notion of so many things being free on the internet puts pressure on creators and makers of any kind of content or service, whether it be news, technology, data, or any other kind of information service, to go with one of two of the 'internet consumer-friendly' options:
- release your information service for free.
- release your information service for free and run advertising on it.
And of course, the straightforward but non-internet consumer-friendly option:
- charge for your product.
Both of these can apply to literally any information product on the web. The former two allow for growth and traction and high losses, while the advertising won't cover for as much as it did in traditional mediums where there existed one (i.e., print.) The latter allows for big profits.
That isn't different from the traditional methods of marketing stuff in the real world. But the stigma associated with the dynamic on the internet is completely different: your product is expected to be free and immediately tryable.
Some startups get it. They don't have a budget that the money could leak from, unless if they were a well-funded venture capital backed business. Profitability and its maximization are key in a top-notch startup environment, and such a leak equates to a startup finding that they had a loophole for everyone to get their product for pennies on the dollar. Devastating.
And that's the stage that current media companies are starting to face.
Creative Destruction
Lyons brings up an extremely relevant and important point: we "have to endure a period of what economist Joseph Schumpeter called 'creative destruction,' as the Internet crashes like a tsunami across entire industries, sweeping away the old and infirm and those who are unwilling or unable to change." Certainly—the internet, as an abstract entity, is the force that presses older systems to evolve or go away.
Creative destruction, associated with Austrian School economist Joseph Schumpeter, is described in his book Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.
The technology and entrepreneurship community has its argument against the article, saying that it's too bad that the companies fail to adjust and that it's their own fault for taking so damn long to do so. But they have their own bias too: they're the perpetrators of the creative destruction plaguing these companies. It's like if radio broadcasting associations told unbudging record companies that they're being too slow to adjust and are failing as a result. They know. They just don't know how to coexist.
Entrepreneurs in particular are the largest perpetrators of creative destruction. This is seen in Schumpeter's work and description of creative destruction, as well as in practice itself. Although the internet wasn't exactly created by entrepreneurs, the disruptive technology that is being blamed for creating the critical mass needed to create creative destruction was, and still is, created by entrepreneurs.
What are some entrepreneurs doing in the current internet economy? Essentially: arbitrage. Here's a bit from Lyons.
Newspapers are getting wiped out because the Internet robbed them of their mini-monopolies. For decades they had virtually no competition, and so could charge ridiculous amounts of money for things like tiny classified ads. This, we are told by people who are wringing their hands over the demise of newspapers, was somehow a good thing. Good or no, it's gone, thanks to Craigslist, which came along and provided the same service at no charge.
Let's assume for a moment that Craigslist is a regular dot.com (and not as described in the Wired article about Craigslist). Craigslist, the classifieds site, saw an opportunity to cash in on the growing void of decent classifieds on the internet. As a perfect arbitrage opportunity, they were able to execute and drive money away from newspaper sites and to themselves.1 Low operating cost. Attractive value proposition. High volume. High profits. In a general sense of creative destruction, the perpetrators, mostly entrepreneurs, are arbitrageurs, leaving older systems one question: adapt or be obliterated.
The paywall on some sites like the Wall Street Journal giving you a preview of the article and asking you to subscribe is probably the best conversion from the print world to the online world. Sure, you can read on if you've got the print version in your hands. Just pick up the paper and read it. But that's not socially accepted: you don't walk into a supermarket, grab a copy of the Times, and start reading.
It's different on the internet. It's so much easier to go to Google and search "username password wall street journal" and hit Results within the last 24 hours. Instantly, without the glares of supermarket customers, without the shame of leeching off of the store (everything should be free after all, shouldn't it?), without the physical paper in your hands that you know doesn't belong to you—there is that information. Not stolen in the traditional sense, but in a modern piracy sense.
So how do you evolve against these virtual paper-nickers? It's quite tough, and it's up to the print world to figure out how to weather the creative destruction and reconstruct. Indeed, it may affect the entire media industry itself. With less profits, less profitable items, and the expectation to keep up the same content quality and volume as before, the media industry is going to find it incredibly difficult to reconstruct to adapt to these new needs.
Lyons, however, does not mention the future much. Lyons talks about what has happened in the past and its impact on the past and present. He does not offer any insight on whether these changes are in the long run positive (dare I say—Realpolitik) in perhaps reconstructing the media industry, or are they indeed completely destructive to the continuation of the media industry as we know it.
There are new technologies that will allow us as consumers to reconsider our addiction to free on the internet by drawing us away from the internet on a computer and rather to the internet as the framework for communication. A familiar example is the Amazon (AMZN) Kindle, which over Amazon Whispernet delivers newspapers like you knew them for a fee.
Both parties need to do some reconsideration on their parts. This, along with Gutenberg's press, digital cameras and film, radio, and computers themselves, is but another instance of metamorphosis and radical change under creative destruction, and for it to be weathered, the same processes of reconsideration and reconstruction will need to apply.
1 In actuality, Craigslist is not so much taking business away from a certain market, but rather destroying their market entirely, as they make a sliver of the money that used to be in the classifieds market, while owning it. It's like if a competing coffee shop stole all of Starbucks' customers as they sold good coffee for $0.01 per cup. Sometimes creative destruction equates to market destruction.


text:
The StruxureWare Portal provides transparency to data center key performance indicators and business metrics, displaying customizable information for a high-level overview of data center operations. The Portal makes it easy to share information with relevant colleagues or external agencies, providing a shared platform and bridging the gap between Facitlities, IT and the C-level stakeholders. The StruxureWare Portal is configured via a choice of predefined or custom portlets, through an integrated, easy-to-use configurator, and assists in easily adding interactive charts and graphs to the display. Built on an open platform, the user-friendly interface allows anyone to quickly configure a dashboard showing key information. The open source environment, based on the Liferay platform, provides the option to display web content and metrics from several applications, such as StruxureWare Resource Advisor, StruxureWare Data Center Operation, StruxureWare Data Center Expert, StruxureWare Power Monitoring Expert and StruxureWare Cooling Monitoring Expert.
- Easy configuration - Built on an open platform, the user-friendly interface allows anyone to quickly configure a dashboard showing management-level information
- Publish to intranet & web - The widgets displaying data center metrics can easily be re-used on the customer's intranet or website
- Reporting capabilities - Insight into data center key performance indicators
- Web dashboards - Easy-configurable web dashboards showing data center key performance indicators, such as trending of data center parameters and capacity utilization

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Page 4 of 13
Motherboard: EVGA X79 FTW
CPU: Sandy Bridge-E Core i7 3820 (3.6GHz)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 (Thermalright-Europa Distri www.PC-Cooling.de).
Memory: 8GB ADATA DDR3 1600 XPG Gaming series
Harddisk: OCZ Vertex 2 100 GB
Power Supply: CoolerMaster Silent Pro 1000W
Case: CoolerMaster Cosmos II Ultra Tower
Operating System: Win7 64-bit
Nvidia 304.79-desktop-win7-winvista-64bit-english-beta
AMD 12-6_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe
Overclocking results for the GTX 680 Classified that you see in the tables were scored at 1161MHz (max boost 1238MHz) / 6008MHz. However, we could've scored the same without using EVBot at all.


text:
Latest News
Beijing 2008 Olympics Special Packages! (2008-08-07)
To celebrate the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympics we are offering up these Real Sword gun + magazine + battery packages with FREE SHIPPING! This offer is bound to be a winner and is available for a limited time only (offer ends 24th August 2008) so we quick to take advantage of this super deal.
Click the gun of your choice above to have a look and to buy or click here
|Real Sword Type 97B
|Real Sword Type 97
|Real Sword Type 56
Real Sword Type 56-1


text:
Nikon Announces D3200 Entry-Level DSLR
Nikon took the wraps off the D3200 today, replacing the D3100 in the entry-level DSLR category. It takes a big jump up to a 24 megapixel resolution, adds 1080 HD video and offers compatibility with a nifty optional wireless adapter.
The first difference you'll notice between the D3100 and the D3200 is the resolution gap. D3100 offered a 14.2 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor – the D3200's isn't any bigger physically, but offers a big 24.2 megapixels of resolution. Coupled with an EXPEED 3 processor, the system is capable of burst shooting at up to 4 fps and offers a native ISO range of 100-6400 expandable up to 12800. An 11-point AF system is on board, providing continuous AF throughout video recording.
The sensor isn't the only piece of hardware getting a resolution upgrade. The 3.0-inch LCD now has 921k-dots of resolution, bumped up from a low 230k-dot in the D3100. The D3200 is equipped with an HDMI out port and a microphone jack, improving your odds of capturing good audio with your 1080p HD video clips (24 or 30 fps).
Offered as an optional accessory is a wireless adapter, designed specifically for the D3200. It hooks into the camera's USB port and will wirelessly transfer files from the D3200 to Android phones or tablets running a free app. Available in May, the app can also be used to trigger the shutter remotely. It will display a live view from the camera to the device, allowing the shooter to frame a shot before firing the shutter. A similar app for iOS devices is expected to follow sometime in the fall.
Also introduced is a new AF Nikkor 28mm f/1.8 lens, expanding Nikon's single focal length f/1.8 lens options even further.
Pricing and Availability
The Nikon D3200 with 18-55mm VR lens will become available later this month for $699.95. The WU-1a wireless adapter (currently only compatible with D3200) will cost an extra $59.95, and the 28mm f/1.8 is expected to arrive in late May 2012 for $699.95.


text:
The Gospel Remedies Pastoral Malpractice
I would consider pastoral malpractice among the greatest treasons a minister can commit against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, it is practiced weekly without inhibition.
What do I mean by pastoral malpractice? I mean ministers who stand and preach a gospel other than God's rightful need for punitive justice against our sin and His wrath being appeased by pouring out upon Christ judgment intended for us. He in turn sets us in right legal standing before Himself, through faith in what Jesus has done, while simultaneously giving to us His holy righteousness.
Regrettably, too many evangelical churches have become centers for motivational speaking where congregants learn that "God helps those who help themselves;" that sin is something that keeps us from reaching our full potential, not an infinite offense against the Creator who demands from His creation unblemished righteousness.
The apostle Paul tells us that humans inherently know we are separated from God by our sin and we try to suppress that truth through drugs, sex, greed, power, alcohol, etc. Sadly, too often when desperate individuals arrive in our churches looking for a solution they get messages about how to improve their lives or their relationships, but the Gospel is absent in the remedy. J.I. Packer, in his quintessential work, Knowing God, correctly writes:
"We have all heard the Gospel presented as God's triumphant answer to human problems – problems of our relation with ourselves and our fellow humans and our environment. Well, there is no doubt that the Gospel does bring us solutions to these problems, but it does so by first solving a deeper problem – the deepest of all human problems, the problem of man's relation with His Maker. And unless we make it plain that the solution to the former problems depends on the settling of this latter, we are misrepresenting the message and becoming false witnesses of God."
The reality is that fewer people are showing up in our churches to get even a watered down Gospel because the age of attractional evangelism is rapidly dying, as recent research shows. It is not enough to throw the doors open and shout at the culture, "Come in." Gospel malpractice goes beyond the pulpit and is a trait of a complacent church that limits the mandate of the Great Commission to an invitation to come when we are clearly told to "Go!"
How contemporary is Paul's letter to Timothy?
"But know this: difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of religion but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:1-5; HCSB).
I believe with every fiber of my being that the transformation of the church lies within the pages of the Bible. If individuals and churches are going to become effective incarnational witnesses in culture we must dig in. Paul, again to Timothy, says: "…you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
How my heart pleads with God to transform our churches to being training and equipping centers that send people out into culture to be Jesus' ambassadors. I'm not talking pious moralists who point people to their sins, but servants who through humility and loving relationships point people to an all-sufficient Savior.
We must meet people in their context, but we must share the Gospel. Morality does not reconcile people to God; it comes through the Gospel of Christ.
Dr. Thom Rainer is president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist.


text:
There have been some excellent posts here and I've learned some new techniques and methods for cleaning and conditioning etc.
I wanted to bring to the attention a problem that I knew I was going to encounter with my inexpensive yet near mint Ted Simmons Rawlings MJ50 (made in Korea) mitt.
I knew from the minute I spotted that light tan (light palomino color) that cleaning this dried out mitt would be a problem. Any moisturizer or cleaner you applied would streak and darken the mitt and sure enough using a little petrolatum carefully resulted in this happening. This leather is basically an open pore, open knap type leather and transforms darker or streaks when any oil or moisturizer hits it. This inexpensive leather dries quickly over the years and is the devil to clean and renew the leather.
Which brings me to a point about the use of vaseline. Now Nocona has used vaseline for more than a half century to hand last its gloves in the post production process. I've used it for 40 years to clean and condition gloves. I had quite a discussion with "Glove Affairs" Noah Lieberman over his section in his book about the negatives of using vaseline. He told me he had gotten gloves from Dick Stump that were over vaselined and this IS a PROBLEM. Too much vaseline is NOT GOOD. Especially as mentioned previously in this area if you're playing with the glove as it picks up dirt and dust. Noah also claimed he talked with a leather expert who claimed that vaseline crosslinked with the leather and clogged the pores. I simply have not found this to have been the case.
Lanolin IS EXCELLENT to use.
Neatsfoot I have been told over and over by many, DO NOT USE as it DOES clog the leather pores. AND I've seen disastrous overuse of Neatsfoot in its various forms.


text:
Image Number: 0208-0601-1712-2859
This image is available for editorial and educational use only. Contact Customer Service to inquire about additional uses.
This image is available under
'Rights Managed' licensing and is available for immediate download.
Keywords: art print, art prints, clipart, clip art, graphic, graphics, image, images, picture, pictures, photo, photos, photograph, photographs, poster, posters, stock photo, stock photos, stock photography, web graphic, web graphics , adrenalin, amusement park, amusement parks, backwards coaster, backwards roller coaster, benjamin carlier, blue sky, california, carnival, carnival ride, carnival rides, carnivals, coaster, coasters, entertain, entertainment, fair, fair ride, fair rides, fairs, fun, funs, los angeles, magic mountain, may 2003, outdoor, outdoor theme park, outdoors, recreation, ride, rides, roller coaster, roller coasters, rollercoaster, scream, six flags, six flags magic mountain, theme park, ultimate roller coaster, x roller coaster
search tips
Artist Login


text:
Printed Materials for Idealease Members
Showing the single result
Idealsafe Safety & Compliance Marketing Brochure
The Idealease Holiday Peanuts are back for the season. You can find them in the Holiday Cards and Peanuts category. Be sure to get your orders in as soon as possible. Last day to order is Thursday, October 15. Dismiss


text:
Please join us for an in depth, hands-on two day training. We will train you and your team on new products, existing products, installation, hardware, ordering methods, and possibly a sneak peek at up and coming products! Please email firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
If hotel recommendations are needed, we will be happy to provide you with them!


text:
2013 Grammys Red Carpet Fashion – Kelly Rowland Bends the Rules With Cutouts in Georges Chakra
Kelly Rowland went from the Super Bowl last weekend to the Grammys this weekend, so she's had some high profile appointments on her calendar. This time, she wore a black Georges Chakra gown with strategic cutouts, which certainly bent the rules about showing skin.
But those cutouts never showed too much of anything -- so Rowland likely avoided the ire of the censors and the powers-that-be who issued the memo about the dress-code that everyone is talking about. She wore her hair in an updo paired with her flirty bangs, and she looked glam and gorgeous.


text:
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Royalty: 7%
Total Investment: $150,859 - $207,627
Founded: 1986
Franchised: 1993
Can Be Home Based:
VetFran Member: Yes
SBA Approved: Yes
Alta Mere is America's high-tech automotive accessory and window tinting specialist. With proven sales techniques and advertising programs, our concept continues to be strategically positioned to capitalize on growing consumer demand. Primary products are window tinting, auto security systems, remote starters, paint protection, and mobile video systems. Franchisees also sell a full line of auto & truck accessories and audio products.
Alta Mere offers products and services that customers "want" to spend their money on as they hold on to their cars longer. Average age of cars is now over 11 years old so customers want to upgrade. Co-branding opportunities are available with Milex franchise and Smartview franchise. We offer a superior business system, strong brand name, customized marketing and a service that is in strong demand. Our support starts with site selection and pre-opening needs and continues with ongoing operations and marketing support.
Request More Information
About Us
Our Services
Free Consultation
Funding Options
Contact Us


text:
I have been experiencing the supernatural for 14 years.
The night before the presidential election. I wanted Trump to win.
That night I was in bed & the mist I see often. Is coming toward me. This is common for me.
Then I saw a large face in the center of the mist. Like a drawing. Not a real person. As it expands & comes closer & closer to my face. I look to the left of the mist. I see a smaller square with a picture of Trump . It reminded of a Trump postage stamp
So I knew the night before the election. Trump would win.


text:
Tag: apiedit
Tags: apiedit, Visual edit
|Line 40:
|Line 40:
* He is only of the All-Stars to never attempt the [http://sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Arm_Bike Arm Bike].
* He is only of the All-Stars to never attempt the [http://sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Arm_Bike Arm Bike].
* He and [[Nagano Makoto]] are the only All-Stars to never attempt the [[Propeller Untei]].
* He and [[Nagano Makoto]] are the only All-Stars to never attempt the [[Propeller Untei]].
* He and Nagano Makoto are the only All-Stars to clear stage 1 and attempt stage 2 in their 40s, Shiratori at [[SASUKE 21]] (41 years old) and Nagano at [[SASUKE 30]] (42 years old)
* He and Nagano Makoto are the only All-Stars to clear stage 1 and attempt stage 2 in their 40s, Shiratori at [[SASUKE 21]] (41 years old) and Nagano at [[SASUKE 30]] (42 years old)
Revision as of 17:00, 10 April 2017
Shiratori Bunpei (白鳥 文平) is a civic employee in his home village of Inba, Chiba Prefecture in the Health and Services department. He is a SASUKE All-Star and former triple jumper. He is also known for building over 14 replica SASUKE obstacles in his backyard. Competitors have visited his home to train on what is sometimes called the 'Shiratori Shrine'.
Debut and Early Success
In the 9th tournament, his debut, Shiratori impressed many by clearing the Jump Hang by using only one foot on the trampoline. Though he ultimately timed out on the Soritatsu Kabe, he left a strong impression. Shiratori did not compete in the 10th tournament, but in his next attempt, the 11th tournament, he cleared the First Stage. He would time out at the Wall Lifting in the Second Stage.
Shiratori's potential was not truly shown until SASUKE 12, where he advanced to the Third Stage without any problem whatsoever. Though at one point, his grip slipped on the Lamp Grasper, he recovered and made his way through the Cliffhanger and Pipe Slider at an incredible speed. Landing the Pipe Slider jump perfectly as well, he cleared the Third Stage on his first attempt, a feat only achieved since then by Urushihara Yuuji in SASUKE 22, Hashimoto Koji in SASUKE 24, and Matachi Ryo in SASUKE 27. Ultimately, he timed out on the Tsuna Nobori in the Final Stage.
His success was recognized in SASUKE 13, where he was given #99. Shiratori once again made his way to the Pipe Slider in the Third Stage, but mistimed his jump/dismount, and fell into the water below. However, this did prove that his performance in the previous tournament was not a fluke, and after this tournament he was named as an All-Star.
As an All-Star
In SASUKE 14, though he cleared the First Stage with time to spare, he fell on the Balance Tank in the Second Stage. Afterward, in an interview, Shiratori speculated that his fall was due to the fact that he had gotten too used to the obstacles, and was not paying enough attention.
In SASUKE 15, due to temperatures upward of 34 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), Shiratori fell prey to heat exhaustion. For a while, it was uncertain whether he would be able to compete. As his number approached, he was still being treated, and Yamamoto Shingo, who was next in line, went before him. After the other 99 competitors went, Shiratori was ready to compete and managed to clear not only the First Stage, but the Second Stage as well. He advanced all the way to the Climbing Bars in the Third Stage before falling, apparently too exhausted to continue. His result in this tournament was second only to Takeda Toshihiro's, who advanced to the Devil Balanço.
In SASUKE 16, he once again made it to the Third Stage, where he was the first to use the one-handed approach on the Devil Balanço, building up momentum on the green resting bar before transferring to the first orange bar and easily making it to the pipe. Though he was once again unable to clear the Pipe Slider jump, his approach to the Devil Balanço paved the way for an 100% success rate on the obstacle in the next tournament. However, he fell early on the Body Prop in the Third Stage in SASUKE 17.
In SASUKE 18, after the renewal, though Shiratori was viewed as one of the most likely to do well on the course, he slipped on the Spider Walk portion of the Jumping Spider and fell into the water. This was his first First Stage failure since his debut. SASUKE 19 was to be a battle with stamina; he failed the Soritatsu Kabe (now 20 cm higher) multiple times, and though he finally cleared it, he timed out on the Flying Chute.
In SASUKE 21, though he still suffered from back pains, he was able to clear the First Stage (though afterward he seemed exhausted). However, he lost his balance on the Downhill Jump in the Second Stage, and fell into the water below.
Shiratori missed SASUKE 20 with a back injury and SASUKE 22 with a knee injury; however, before SASUKE 22, he helped train Satô Hiromichi on his version of the Soritatsu Kabe, which Satô passed in the tournament. He was present during SASUKE 24 and stood on the sidelines with other All-Stars, but did not compete due to his injuries from which he was still recovering. He is still said to suffer from chronic back and knee pains. In early May 2014, it was announced that Shiratori would return for SASUKE 30 after a 9-tournament absence. Wearing #2997, he failed the Jump Hang Kai due to mis-hitting the trampoline. He used his one-foot leap technique on the trampoline, but it proved to not be enough. On the replay, it was also shown that his foot tripped over the trampoline while jumping.
After SASUKE 30, he officially retired due to aging and injuries; however, it is possible that he may return for later tournaments.
He and Akiyama Kazuhiko were present during SASUKE 32 to watch and support their fellow All-Stars, especially Nagano Makoto in his last run.
- He and Akiyama Kazuhiko are the only All-Stars never to have failed the Cliffhanger obstacle.
- Shiratori is the only competitor to fail the Climbing Bars.
- Counting Akiyama Kazuhiko's kanzenseiha as a Last Man Standing performance, Shiratori is the only All-Star to have never been Last Man Standing.
- While he is the only All-Star to never fail the original version of the Jump Hang, He is the only All-Star to fail the Jump Hang Kai
- He is the only All-Star to have only ever attempted one version of the Cliffhanger (Version 3).
- Shiratori is the only person to wear #'s 81, 82 and 83.
- After SASUKE 21, Shiratori was the oldest man to have competed in the Final Stage (age 36) and Third Stage (age 39). Both are now held by Okuyama Yoshiyuki, reaching the Final Stage at 39 in SASUKE 24 and the Third Stage at 41 in SASUKE 27.
- Shiratori is the second-oldest All-Star.
- Shiratori holds the second-highest clear ratio for the First Stage out of the All-Stars, at an estimated 67% (8 out of 12 attempts) behind Takeda Toshihiro who has 71% (17 out of 24 attempts).
- He is only of the All-Stars to never attempt the Arm Bike.
- He and Nagano Makoto are the only All-Stars to never attempt the Propeller Untei.
- He, Takeda Toshihiro and Nagano Makoto are the only All-Stars to clear stage 1 and attempt stage 2 in their 40s, Shiratori at SASUKE 21 (41 years old), Takeda at SASUKE 33 (41 years old) and Nagano at SASUKE 30 (42 years old)
|Failed Soritatsu Kabe (First Stage)
|Time Out. Digest.
|Failed Wall Lifting (Second Stage)
|Time Out. Second Wall.
|Failed Tsuna Nobori (Final Stage)
|Time Out. About 21m up.
|Failed Pipe Slider (Third Stage)
|Failed Jump.
|Failed Balance Tank (Second Stage)
|Failed Climbing Bars (Third Stage)
|Went last in the First Stage due to heat exhaustion.
|Failed Pipe Slider (Third Stage)
|Failed Jump.
|Failed Body Prop (Third Stage)
|Failed Jumping Spider (First Stage)
|Failed Spider Walking Portion.
|Failed Flying Chute (First Stage)
|Time Out.
|Failed Downhill Jump (Second Stage)
|Lost Balance.
|Failed Jump Hang Kai (First Stage)
|Missed the trampoline.
External Links


text:
If you went to work this morning and sat down at your desk in front of a personal computer, your experience probably took one of two routes.
Lots of you found yourself logging in, probably multiple times, using passwords you could barely remember because you are forced to change them so often. Then, you entered a world of computing where much of the power and variety of the technology was closed off to you in the name of security or conformity by an information-technology department in your large corporation or organization. Various Web sites were off-limits, as were tools like instant messaging, even though they might have legitimate business purposes.
Others of you, lucky enough to work in a home-based business or in any business or organization too small to have an IT department, could get right to work, using the full range of changing resources and tools offered by software and Internet companies.
So, which of these worlds is the computer industry's favorite? If you guessed that the industry cares most about customers who use all it has to offer and are most willing to try new things, you guessed wrong. The computer industry cares little about consumers and very small businesses. It is focused on serving the IT departments of large corporations and organizations.
This is true even though, by some estimates, twice as many computers are in the hands of individuals and very small organizations than are in the control of corporate IT departments.
Sure, big computer makers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard make and sell "consumer" models with lots of whiz-bang features. But they really focus on corporate customers and jump to the tune of IT managers. Dell recently folded its separate consumer division in the U.S., conceding that only a relatively small slice of its U.S. business is from consumers.
In fact, the industry operates on a false model of the U.S. computer-using population. It imagines the world is divided between "consumers," who lie around at home playing games and listening to music, with the occasional homework assignment or tax form thrown in; and "enterprises," large corporations where computing is controlled by IT departments and only mission-critical tasks are performed.
If these models acknowledge small businesses at all, they get lumped into a category called SMB, for small and medium businesses, where the minimum size is something like 500 employees and an IT staff rules.
In fact, the most accurate way to divide the computer-using world is into two segments: the one controlled by an IT department and the one controlled by the people who actually use the computers, be they consumers or small-business folks. A vast amount of business crucial to the U.S. economy is conducted every day in the non-IT part of the computing world.
The computer industry loves, and caters to, the IT segment because it buys machines in large quantities and is run by a geeky priesthood that speaks the industry language. By contrast, the non-IT camp, even though it is larger in the aggregate, buys one, two or three machines at a time and tends to be nontechnical.
A few years back, Dell moved a part of its telephone support overseas. Consumer and corporate customers complained. Dell quietly switched some activity back to the U.S., but only for corporate customers, at least at first.
This focus on the corporate world can have real, and sometimes negative, consequences for consumers and small businesses. For example, some of the big security problems in Microsoft's software in recent years came because the company included features used only by corporate IT staffs in the products it sold to everyone. One was a communications feature, meant for network administrators, which sleazy operators misused to bombard people with ads. Why was that on my PC in the first place?
Other technology sectors do the same thing. Cellphone carriers, for instance, seem to think noncorporate customers don't need many phones with decent email software.
Only one major computer company focuses mainly on the non-IT part of the computing world: Apple Computer. This is partly because Apple failed to make inroads in corporations, but it's also because it prefers to aim its products at actual users, not intermediary buyers.
Some of you wonder why reviewers like me, writing for the non-IT part of the world, have consistently praised Apple products in recent years. One reason is that they are good. Another is that they have been unaffected (so far) by the plague of viruses and spyware that makes Windows users miserable. But an underlying reason is the focus on individual users.
There are some small, Windows-based PC companies that sell mainly to the non-IT world. The best example is Alienware; another is eMachines, now part of Gateway. But they tend to cater to narrower markets than Apple. Alienware is aimed mainly at gamers, eMachines at bargain hunters.
In my view, the world would be better off if the biggest computer companies started catering more to the non-IT part of the market, where most computers live.
- Email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Biofilm refers to a population of various micro-organisms trapped in a layer of slime and organic matter that attaches itself to the surfaces of pumps, pipes, walls etc.
On the inside of sewer piping, biofilm may affect the transport and quality of wastewater. The biofilm takes up space, reducing the effective diameter of the pipe, and increases pipe friction. Both factors increase system resistance, which results in increased power consumption and decreased flow.
Biofilm begins to develop when free-floating micro-organisms attach to a surface. If they are not immediately separated from the surface, they can anchor more permanently. The first colonists facilitate the arrival of other cells and begin to build the matrix that holds the biofilm together.
Once colonisation has begun, the biofilm grows through a combination of cell division and recruitment of new cells. The micro-organism population forms a microenvironment where degradation of organic matter and nutrients provides the micro-organisms with energy and material for cell growth and proliferation.
If anaerobic conditions develop in the biofilm, certain micro-organisms produce foul smelling gasses, such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, as by-product of their anaerobic respiration.
This may cause odour and health problems in connection with the sewer network and at the wastewater treatment plant.


text:
Pokémon League Exam Instructor
|Pokémon League Exam Instructor
|30 or more
|Voice actor:
|Ted Lewis (English)
Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese)
|IL056: The Ultimate Test
The Pokémon League entrance exam instructor was the instructor for the Pokémon League Admissions Exam, an exam where people are allowed to get acess into the Pokémon League without earning Gym Badges.
History[edit | edit source]
The instructor gave Ash his number 7 for the Admissions Exam and also qualified Jessie and James for the exam. He took his Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charizard and Squirtle, as they were not permitted to use their own Pokémon in the exam. Nurse Joy also entered.
In the first test, he tested their knowledge. He had them see of which questions were true or false. His test numbers were:
- Lickitung's toungue is twice the length of it's body. True or False? - Ash: False.
- Ninetales evolves from Vulpix only by use of the Fire Stone. True or False? - Ash: True.
- Hitmonlee is also known as the Punching Demon. - Ash: True.
- The only attack Magikarp originally knows is Splash. True or False? - Jessie: True.
- Caterpie is the world's smallest Pokémon. True or False? - Jessie: True.
- Koffing was originally discovered in a public bathouse. True or False? - Jessie: True.
In the second test, he measured their ability to recognise Pokémon by putting siloettes or parts of Pokémon on a screen. He first put on the siloette of a round Pokémon, which Ash believed to be Voltorb, James thought was a Poké Ball and Jessie thought was an Electrode. However, it was truly a Jigglypuff as seen from uptop. He then showed a pattern that Ash had never seen. James thought it was an Omanyte shell, Jessie thought it was an Arbok all coiled up and Ash thought it was a Poliwhirl, but it was truly a Poliwag, testing the fact that when Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl, the pattern on it's stomach changes direction. The fifteenth question was asking which Pokémon posessed the flaming tail which Ash thought was Charmander. It was truly Ponyta and Jessie got angry. She then quit the exam.
Nurse Joy got one of the highest scores, while Ash, Jessie and James got the lowest scores. The instructor then took them to the final test: a Pokémon battle with him using his Pokémon. Nurse Joy and Squirtle beat the instructor and his Charmander, and he took on James. James used Pikachu and believed he could win because he knew Pikachu's attacks by heart. However, due to it's disadvantage, it was defeated by the instructor's Graveler's Tackle attack. James then unleashed Ivysaur and Charizard at the same time, which caused him to be expelled on the spot. He then battled Ash and he used Weezing, against Flareon and won, but lost using Arbok against Jolteon. Team Rocket's Meowth then interrupted the match after Ash's Meowth was frozen by the instructor's Vaporeon's Ice Beam. The instructor attempted to catch Meowth, but Team Rocket used Ivysaur, Charizard and Pikachu to stop him. The instructor then ordered Ivysaur, Charizard and Pikachu to attack Team Rocket and Ash used Weezing, Arbok and Meowth to beat them. Ash's Weezing then used Explosion which sent Team Rocket "blasting off".
The Explosion interfered with the entire exam and forced them to start over. The instructor asked Ash if he wanted to take the test again, but he declined, stating he preferred to earn all eight badges. Todd Snap then gave a Meowth to the instructor and he realized it was Team Rocket's Meowth that had been swapped with his in the Explosion. He took ownership of it, but it was fixed in the following episode.
Pokemon[edit | edit source]
On Hand[edit | edit source]
Temporary[edit | edit source]
|This article is missing an image. Please help the Azurilland Wiki by adding one.
|This article is a stub. Please help the Azurilland Wiki by editing it.


text:
- Yield
- Serves 1
- 2 tablespoons flour
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 6 oz white fish fillets, skin removed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- olive oil
- 1/2 a fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced lengthways
- 1 bunch of mustard cress or watercress
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- Get a frying pan really hot. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Dust the fish fillets with the seasoned flour, then dip into the egg and press into the grated Parmesan, making sure the fish is nicely covered. Add a little olive oil to the hot pan, and fry the fish fillets for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown. Throw in the chilli. Mix together the avocado and cress with the extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, and put on your plate with your fish fillets.
Reprinted with permission from Jamie's Dinners: The Essential Family Cookbook by Jamie Oliver. © 2004 Hyperion


text:
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a covenant partner of Fuller Center for Housing, established in the spring of 2005. After 29 years of unwavering and tireless service to the poor with Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat, was motivated to expand his vision of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. Fuller Center for Housing Armenia was registered in spring 2008.
Mission Statement
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia assists families in building and renovating safe, simple, comfortable homes, with and for low-income families in Armenia, by offering them long-term, interest free loans, as well as by advocating the right to decent shelter.
Fuller Center Armenia provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. Their monthly repayments flow into the Revolving Fund and are used to help more families, thereby providing the financial foundation for a sustainable community development effort.
Types of Programs
The construction programs of Fuller Center Armenia include but are not limited to the following: completion of half-built house, purchase of an affordable apartment, roof reconstruction, heating and sanitation system installation, interior renovation.
Family Selection Criteria
The family selection criteria are:
Housing need
Ability to pay back the long-term, interest and inflation free housing loans
Willingness to partner with FCHA, partake in the work on their home, and assist in the building of other FCHA participants' homes nearby.
There is no discrimination against partner families on the basis of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
Where We Build
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia works in all regions of Armenia and in the Republic of Artsakh. Since 2008 more than 450 families have been assisted.
Donors and Volunteers
To accomplish its mission, Fuller Center Armenia s garnering volunteer and financial support from individuals, organizations, corporate partners and churches. International and local volunteers come together to work shoulder to shoulder with the families and help decrease the construction costs.
Of the approximately 800,000 families living in Armenia, about 40,000 or 5% are without permanent shelter. About 40% (2% of the total number of households) live in temporary structures, in most cases metal shipping containers, so-called domiks. Dormitories and damaged unsafe housing provide shelter to 10% of the households living in temporary shelters. Others live in former hotels, schools and kindergartens which were converted to temporary housing. Alongside those without permanent shelter are the tens of thousands of families requiring better housing conditions. Altogether it is estimated that approximately 100,000 households are either without permanent housing or need urgent assistance owing to, among other things, overcrowding .
Many families had begun to build their own homes after the collapse of Soviet Union.With the ensuing economic crisis, homes were left unfinished - thousands of these foundations and semi-structures can be seen littering the countryside. Many families live in the dark and dump basements of such houses unable to complete them.
Fuller Center Armenia recognized this as an opportunity to leverage resources already invested in housing solutions. Therefore, the program can help two or three families rather than one, since completing a half-built is more economical than beginning construction anew. Because of heavy rains, and lack of maintenance, the roofs of many Armenian houses are severely deteriorated - slates are often broken, and rainwater leaks in. Besides, most roofs are made of asbestos, which is a hazard for the health of the residents.
Fuller Center replaces broken asbestos roofs with corrugated tin roofs on timber framework.
Volunteer in Armenia with Global Builders program!!!
The construction sites, where the international volunteers and locals build hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, with the spirit of friendship and unity, sharing the same enthusiasm and emotions, become a non-formal platform of interaction between the guests and the local community. This program helps strengthen the cultural and spiritual bridge between the local and international communities, demonstrating the love of Christ in action. Join us in this life-transforming experience: come to Armenia for a 10-14 day-long trip to build and interact with Armenian families, and to see the ancient country of Armenia.
Vanadzor site
June 14- 28, team leader, Cynthia Erickson
Yerevan site
July 11 - 25, team leader, Suzanne Daghlian Aug. 30 - Sept.12, team leaders, Boots and Ramsay Walker October 11- 23, team leader, Brenda Sawyer, full team
Yeghegnadzor site
June 13-28, St. John's Armenian Church team
For more information or to connect to team leaders, please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
==Donate and Help us Rebuild Armenia==
Gifts to The Fuller Center are tax-deductible.
To support our project, you can make an [1] or send a check to:
The Fuller Center for Housing
PO Box 523
Americus, GA 31709
Please add "Armenia" in the memo line.
You can also transfer your donation directly to our bank account in Armenia if you do not need a tax receipt.
Ameriabank CJSC, Yerevan
SWIFT code: ARMIAM22
Correspondent bank:Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, USA
SWIFT code: BKTRUS33
Visit Fuller Center for Housing Official Website for more information on TFCH; visit Fuller Center for Housing Armenia to learn more about our activities in Armenia.
About The Fuller Center for Housing, Inc.:
The Fuller Center for Housing was founded in the spring of 2005 at Koinonia Farm in rural southwest Georgia. After 29 years of tireless service to the poor with Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, the founder and president of Habitat, was motivated to expand his vision of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. The Fuller Center for Housing, faith driven and Christ centered, promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide. TFCH has programs in 35 U.S. communities and in 12 countries around the world.


text:
Requesting transcripts is easy because Osseo Area Schools uses Parchment to handle student transcript requests electronically. You are able to order your transcripts online, with the ease and 24/7 convenience of the web. The first time you visit the Parchment website, a one-time account set up is required.
During the registration process, you will be asked for your:
- Enrollment status (currently or not currently enrolled)
- Highest level of education completed
- Birth date
- Email address (please use a private email address, not your Osseo Apps email address)
- Please do not use the "open with Facebook" option (due to nicknames, inaccurate birthdates, etc.)
The Parchment website is most compatible with Chrome or Firefox
How does it work?
To begin:
- Log on to Parchment (click on the "Request my Transcript" button above)
- Have a valid email address and choose a password
- Click on the "plus" (+) sign to add your high school; it will prompt you to "add your institution"
- After you have added your high school, you can click on "Order"
- Select college or destination to receive your transcripts
Follow directions.
Currently Enrolled Students
a. All transcript requests for currently enrolled students are FREE if the destination/college selected accepts electronic transcripts. There is no limit as to how many you request.
b. If the destination selected does not accept electronic transcripts, a $2 mailing fee will apply.
a. Electronic transcript cost for alumni is $5.
b. Paper copy cost for alumni is $7.
c. If you previously opened an account with Parchment using your Osseo Apps email, we recommend going into your settings/profile and changing the email address.
The school approves the requests online and Parchment does the rest:
- Prepares transcripts and sends them to designated destinations
- Confirms sending and delivery, so you know when your application is complete
Current students contact the Career Resource Center at your high school. Alumni call 763.391.7125.
You can also learn more online:


text:
Amateur astronomers flock to places like Big Pine Key, Fla., and Socorro County, N.M., to take in the breathtaking nighttime horizons rife with stars, planets and far away galaxies. But what about the many folks who live in crowded cities, where the glow of street lights clouds the night sky? Try these practical tips from astronomy.com for stargazing in the city:
Equipment: Large telescopes gather more starlight and have the ability to peer further into the faraway universe. However, they also are more sensitive to heat currents and atmospheric turbulence like wind, which moves airborne particles that tend to cloud vision. Debate remains as to whether small or large telescopes are best for light-polluted skies, but most sources agree that the best approach for choosing viewing equipment in an urban environment comes down to personal preferences and abilities. For example, if you live on a high floor and have to carry your telescope all the way down to the ground floor or up to the roof, it's probably a better idea to use a smaller, portable telescope. If, however, you've got a bigger budget and more space in your yard or driveway, then a larger telescope might be a worthwhile investment. If neither of these options is possible, don't worry: binoculars work well too!
Environment: Darker is better. Try to find a local park with fewer overhead streetlights. If possible, try to avoid viewing from a roof or paved area—these surfaces absorb heat during the day and then radiate heat at night, creating atmospheric turbulence. If you live in a tall apartment building, though, the roof might be your best bet. A very popular solution is to cover yourself in a black cloth, blanket, or cardboard box. This keeps outside light from interfering with the field of vision in your telescope lens.
Timing: Planning ahead also is very helpful. Certain stars and planets will be more or less visible in your area based on the time of day and the time of year, so do your research. The time of day also is crucial. If you can stay up late, the dead of night is a good time for stargazing because many people will have their lights turned out.
Location: Try to avoid viewing through a window, if possible. The glass and temperature difference between interior and exterior can distort your view. You might also cover the back end of your telescope to eliminate any stray light into the lens.
Urban stargazing is not ideal, but with these tips, even the city dweller can enjoy viewing the night sky. Keep these tips in mind next time you're ready to see what the universe has to offer!
For more information, check out these articles from "Sky and Telescope" and telescope.com!


text:
Our work to protect animals would not be possible without the generous donations we receive each year. AWI is committed to using our donors' contributions for the direct benefit of animals, with 90% of funds going toward program expenses. Because of our fiscal responsibility and transparency, AWI has been awarded an A+ rating by CharityWatch and a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator.
All donations to the Animal Welfare Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are tax-deductible (13-5655952) and qualify you for member benefits. There are many ways to support AWI's work to protect animals—click here to find out more about contribution options.
Please be advised that after you click "Continue" at the bottom of this page, you will be taken to a checkout screen where you can enter your billing information and review your order before processing your donation. A confirmation receipt will be emailed to you. If you do not receive a confirmation, have questions or concerns, or wish to stop donations at any time, please contact us at (202) 337-2332.
To make a donation via PayPal, please click here. (To make a donation using an international credit card or address, it is recommended that you do so via the PayPal site.) To mail your information or a check, please use this printable donation form.


text:
Today's giveaway is courtesy of Smashion, a completely free online marketplace for fashion (no fees for buyers OR sellers). Smashion is offering one lucky reader a $25 credit on their site!
To enter, simply visit Smashion and then leave a comment below.
Entries will be accepted until 9 pm EST on Friday, June 4th. You must leave a valid email address or some way for me to contact you in order to win. A winner will be chosen at random and announced in this post. Good luck!
-Keiko Lynn
The winner is Stephanie. Congratulations!


text:
Doyon Drilling Oil Well Engineering Jobs Online Free Apply There is a career opportunities for you at Company in well engineering oil and gas projects. Onshore and offshore Services Company that gives services in a extreme conditions, specially design to drill oil wells. Department Job; Administrative, Accounting and Finance, Engineering, …Read More »
Home / Tag Archives: Join Us at Doyon Drilling


text:
The F60, located in the Lusatia region near Lichterfeld in Brandenburg, looks like the Eiffel tower lying prone across the landscape.
Guided tours lead visitors up this colliery conveyor bridge to a height of 80 metres. The neighbouring Bergheider See lake is in the process of being created. A bridge to this future, the vast steel edifice that is the F60 creates a striking backdrop for light and sound installations after dark. Anyone on a night-time tour could be forgiven for thinking they're on a space rocket ready for launch.
Opening times:
summer: daily 10am-6pm; winter: Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm
Două combinaţii de taste utile pentru a mări şi micşora în browser-ul de internet:
Mărire: +
Micşorare: +
Pentru ajutor suplimentar, faceţi clic pe iconiţa aferentă a browser-ului dvs.:


text:
I mentioned the other night that I have Slitaz running in a console-only arrangement on my Pentium; the setup time for that is immensely shorter than my first-place favorite Crux, with all the drive swapping and compiling, swapping and compiling, swapping and compiling. Just for my own reference, and in case someone else wants to try the same trick, here's a short step-by-step for getting it done.
The first real consideration is that, by installing a full system, you are installing and setting up the machine for more than you really want. You'll be installing graphical packages that, while they take up little space, actually become a tiny bit of an obstruction since they're triggered or configured, and you have to un-configure or un-trigger them.
After doing this two or three times, I decided that the base flavor is good enough to get me started. I pulled the hard drive from the Pentium, transplanted it into another machine and booted that to the base live CD. You'll be in a text-only environment, but don't let that scare you.
I partitioned the drive with fdisk, giving only 2Gb out of 40 total to the entire system. I read somewhere once, a long time ago, that smaller partitions mount faster, and since the Slitaz manual suggests at minimum 200Mb for a full graphical system, that would be a good compromise between mounting fast and having plenty of space for leftover stuff. I can partition the remainder and mount it manually, if I actually think of something that needs that much space on a Pentium.
Similarly, I set the filesystem on the partition to ext2; I know Slitaz mentions ext3 in the installer, but I always feel a tiny lag on ext3 machines running at very low speeds. Sure, maybe it's my imagination, maybe not. Oh, I almost forgot: a nice big 256Mb swap partition, to complement the 16Mb of actual memory I have. 🙄
Cue the text-based installer with
slitaz-installer. It will access the CD and ask you for the partition. Say no to the option to reformat, and set the hostname. Wait for the installation to finish, then install grub to the MBR, unless you have some sort of other quirky arrangement for your Pentium.
I usually go ahead and swap out the drive at this point, because I don't have network access on that particular laptop from the base CD. In my case, I use an axnet-driven PCMCIA wired card to get online and start getting serious. In other words,
modprobe axnet-cs
udhcpc eth0
udhcpc can be a real brain-buster, if you're expecting dhcpcd. 😉 The next step is to update against repositories, with
tazpkg recharge, and
tazpkg upgrade to anything that might be available. This is where I usually add linux-wireless and a couple of other kernel module packages, to flesh out an otherwise stellar Pentium experience. 🙄
Technically that's as far as is necessary to go, if you want. There are a few things you might consider though, if you're a little bit daring.
There are a few — not a lot, but enough to make a difference — packages in the cooking flavor (at the time of writing) that aren't necessarily available to a base installation. Things like elinks, screen, mc and htop, all of which I consider to be mission-critical, are available if your release is set to cooking, instead of base, like it probably is at this point.
I have two solutions: First, install package by package, downloading them individually from the web site and plugging them into place. Not attractive.
The other is this: Once you have your console system more or less configured the way you want it, switch to the cooking release and install the software you're "missing." It's an easy trick, just
tazpkg set-release cooking, and now you have quite a few more options available to you. And quite a few more upgrades, which tazpkg will show you as soon as you finish the switch.
It's also worth scanning through which packages are already installed, with
tazpkg list. For example, this machine has neither a CDROM nor any USB ports nor a modem, so anything related to those technologies is a candidate for tossing out.
I think that just about does it. Everything after this point is going to vary according to your taste, and goodness knows there is more than enough console-based stuff out there to keep everyone happy. Don't forget kbd, linux-sound, iftop, centerim and other stuff, according to your machine. Cheers and enjoy.


text:
A few times a year I feel the need to rant. This blog entry is one of those times, and the topic is dealing ...
A few times a year I feel the need to rant. This blog entry is one of those times, and the topic is dealing with the annoying emails, phone calls, and other contacts that regularly cross the paths of government technology professionals in 2009. Yes, we all know about bank phishing scams or Viagra spam, but these are from (supposedly) reputable technology companies that are trying to grow their business or from other professional organizations who are trying to impress us. They often come across like desperate rookies screaming for attention.
Allow me to start with a few actual email marketing examples. I'm just copying the subject lines here, but each of these emails contain attention-grabbing intro paragraphs, flashing media or impressive charts that are sure to entertain and prompt action - NOT. Note that these examples were able to make it through our excellent spam filter (which block more than 90% of incoming government email).
$5 Billion in Data Center Savings: Stake Your Claim Now
Following Up on Our Conversation at RSA Last Week -- (Note: I wasn't at RSA last week)
RE: Our phone call -- (Note: There was no original email or call)
Where were you yesterday? I can fix that problem -- (Note: what problem?)
How to Save 90% on IT Operations! -- (Note: I guess you want me to lay everyone off?)
Free IPOD: One out of Three Callers Win -- (Note: The giveaways seem endless)
One more Virtual Chance: Don't Miss the Technology Boat Again! -- (Note: Using shame - WOW)
ACTION: We need Your Unique Perspective -- (Note: the opposite, using ego)
Hi Old Friend -- (Note: I have no idea who this person is)
Why You Need to Talk To "My-Company" Now! -- (Note: I changed the name to protect the guilty)
Here's one of my favorites (with an excerpt from the full email). Note that "fun" destinations for conferences/seminars are out right now. In fact, many of us can't even travel to Orlando or in some cases leave our state, but along comes an opportunity to travel to an island that makes Hawaii seem close.
Subject: Free Luxury Seminar: Outsource Your Data Center to Mauritus
to CIOs, IT Directors and Data Centre Senior Management
Presenting new Opportunities for Hosting, Data Storage,
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity in Mauritius
Dear Colleague,
On behalf of the Board of Investment, Mauritius, we would like to invite you
to join a 2-day seminar designed to inform and advise IT enterprise decision
makers about the business benefits and opportunities the island presents.
Why Mauritius?
Although renowned as a luxury destination, the island is also an outstanding
location for housing IT and offshoring data centre services. With connectivity
to 4 subsea pipes, an increasingly developed infrastructure, skilled work
force and many incentives for businesses to establish data centres on the
island, Mauritius is significantly well placed to cater for regional and
international enterprises.
The phone calls we receive can be just as interesting. My executive assistant sometimes filters a dozen cold calls a week. People claim just about everything from being a friend or former colleague to even being a relative (sure way to not impress.) Some demand to speak with the CTO immediately, and others hang up when they hear an assistant's voice. It is especially hard when I return from a conference if I have handed out business cards. Lots of companies tell my assistant that they need a follow-up meeting, but far fewer promises were actually made. Others use deceptive but intriguing offers like, "We'd like Mr. Lohrmann to come to present at our company event/seminar." Later, we discover that this is just another sales technique.
So what's my point for technology companies or their marketing colleagues? These tricks and sneaky techniques usually backfire. I generally ignore or delete these types of emails or phone messages. Occasionally I get a good laugh as I think about the time and energy that was expended to develop these tempting offers. Rarely do I establish an ongoing partnership with related companies.
I can only remember two exceptions over the past decade. Once I developed an overly negative view of a company that was advertising with outlandish gimmicks. My perception changed after meeting several smart people who had real answers to hard questions and good product offerings. But in that case my negative perception only changed by old-fashioned expertise and quality relationship-building. The initial marketing was a barrier that needed to be overcome.
So here comes my traditional advice for young technology companies and marketing professionals:
1) Be honest with initial (and all) contacts. Misrepresenting your way into a VIP's office may lead to a new conversation with the right person, but what happens after that? Usually, not much, and you probably won't get a second chance.
2) Don't over-hype your product/solution to get attention by promising unachievable metrics or making incredible claims. It may work online to attract viral YouTube video traffic, but this type of marketing turns off most of the technology executives that I know.
3) Build relationships the old fashioned way - earn trust and a positive reputation. Yes, you can use LinkedIn, website contacts or the numerous other new media avenues to help get in the door. However, don't pretend to offer something you can't. Do your homework before blasting the Internet with "personalized spam." (I've even received emails that start by spelling my name wrong or calling me Ms. Lohrmann. Delete.)
Some readers are probably thinking: "Come on Dan, just deal with it. Read, delete, or get a better spam filter and move on."
Nevertheless, I want to point out that exaggerated claims by so many make it harder for everyone to discern the bad from the good and the good from the great. Where should we spend our time? No doubt, we are overlooking a few diamonds. Getting to the real answers takes time and energy, and most of us don't have a ton of extra hours in a day. True, we can rely on third party commentary from companies like Gartner and Forrester, but I often want to come to my own conclusion.
OK, enough ranting for a few months.
Got any good war stories about funny cold calls or entertaining emails? Please share them with us in the comments section (even if you need to be anonymous).
Or, what's your opinion? Am I overreacting?
Looking for the latest gov tech news as it happens? Subscribe to GT newsletters.


text:
In Episode 2, Bob realizes his need for getting prequalified. When it comes time to make an offer on a house, sellers are more apt to consider an offer from someone with a PreQual letter. Learn the importance of prequalification, the benefits of receiving the letter, and how you can prepare.
Ready to begin your prequalification? Apply with a Loan Officer today!


text:
Both Hope cross country teams finished in the top ten at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional held Saturday at Westerville, Ohio.
Men's Meet: The Flying Dutchmen finished 10th in the field of 34 teams led by senior Seth Weener who was 15th among the 240 competitors. It marked the seventh time in the last eight years that coach Mark Northuis' Dutchmen have been a top-ten team in the Great Lakes region. earned himself a spot in the national championships next Saturday in Hanover, Ind. The top seven runners at the regional beyond the runners on the qualifying teams advanced to nationals. Weener was a national qualifier in 2006.
Calvin ended with 37 points while Hope total 284. The men's regional champion was Jed Christiansen of Calvin with an 8K time of 24:44. Weener was timed in 25:26. Other Hope finishers were senior Rob Bailey, 48th (26:09); senior Paul VanderVelde, 59th (26:22); junior Matt Wiersum, 69th (26:28); junior Ryan Jara, 93rd (26:44); senior Zach King, 112th (27:01); and freshman Nathan Love, 123rd (27:10).
Women's Meet: The Flying Dutch were ninth in the field of 34 women's teams for their first top ten finish in the Great Lakes regional since 2004. Freshman Kate Nelson led Hope with a 36th place finish among the 233 runners. She missed all-region honors by one spot. Calvin won the women's 6K scoring 42 points while Hope total 281 points.
Hope's finishers were Nelson, 36th (23:45); freshman Karlyn Sikma, 50th (24:01); freshman Kelly Luftkin, 64th (24:09); sophomore Susan Savasky, 68th (24:25); sophomore Claire Bird, 77th (24:34); senior Kate Freshour, 100th (24:59); and sophomore Emily Fischer, 128th (25:24).


text:
A young couple travels to Sweden to visit their friends rural hometown and attend its mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly descends into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.
CAST: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, William Jackson Harper, Anna Åström, Julia Ragnarsson
DIRECTOR: Ari Aster
RUN TIME: 140 min


text:
As apex predators of the Cretaceous period go, Tyrannosaurus Rex is pretty iconic. And yet, it's likely even formidable tyrant-lizards would have watched their steps around Deinosuchus - North America's so-called "terrible crocodile."
Dinosaur Tracking's Brian Switek explains:
During the heyday of Deinosuchus, adults of the aquatic ambush predator were among the largest carnivores in their ecosystems. The enormous Tyrannosaurus rex was over five million years off, and the tyrannosaurs of the time were not quite so long or bulky. (Teratophoneus, found in southern Utah among strata that also yield Deinosuchus, was about twenty feet long, and Daspletosaurus from Montana grew to be about thirty feet long.) A fully mature Deinosuchus would have outstretched and outweighed the dinosaur competition, and would have undoubtedly been a deadly apex predator in the water habitats it haunted.
The skull of Deinosuchus testifies to its destructive potential. The alligatoroid's skull was large, broad, and equipped with an array of teeth deployed to pierce and crush. Indeed, even though there were other giant crocodylomorphs of near-equal size during the Mesozoic (such as the narrow-snouted Sarcosuchus), Deinosuchus appears to be unique in having the anatomical necessities to take down hadrosaurs and other unwary dinosaurs at the water's edge.
Granted, much like like T. Rex, paleontologists aren't entirely sure whether Deinosuchus was exclusively an active predator, a scavenger, or some combination thereof. Then again, would knowing that this 40-foot-long, sickle-toothed behemoth was a "scavenger" make you any more inclined to loiter anywhere near the remote vicinity of its jaws? We didn't think so.
Read more about Deinosuchus over at Dinosaur Tracking.


text:
Ac Motor Speed Regulator Strengt
Higher control performance
Environment friendly
Specifications of Ac Motor Speed Regulator
220v Single/Triple phase
440v Triple Phase
Function Level Specification of Ac Motor Speed Regulator
Widely Application of Ac Motor Speed Regulator
No-speed sense vector control SVC Start/stop DC braking
PID Control Wobble Frequency
Wiring Diagram of Ac Motor Speed Regulator
Standard Packaging
The inverter in a plastic bag would be protected by two EPE buffers in a carton independently. And then each packed item would be stacked up on pallets if the quantity is large.
Fast Shipping
If the quantiy is large, the cargo would be shipped out by sea. While small quantity would be arranged by express like UPS, DHL, Fedex.
Considerate Service
1. We offer the R&D services and technical support , with our own devoloping technology. Thus, OEM and ODM are accepted.
2. All of the Sanch products have their own warranty in which we help you remove your any confusion free.
3. MOQ of all products is ONE PIECE.
4.Our international express partner(DHL/Fedex/TNT/UPS) can help you deal with the delivery process if needed.
5.We can offer you factory direct sale price
6. Agency enjoy the lowest price.
About us
Sanch group is one of the earliest established manufacturer of inverter in China mainland. With the development of global manufacturing industry, Sanch, has found base of R&D and manufacturing at Quanzhou Sangchuan Electric Equipment Company and has formed geographic center at Shanghai Sanch Technology Company after technology innovation, resource integration and management optimization for years.
We have a professional R&D team who has cooperated with an Italy company that is good reputed in the field of controlling industry in 2005. Sanch has also cooperated with an international well-known company from Japan by the way of ODM in 2010 and the business is continuous still. Annual output of our factory exceeds 50,000 sets of general electric products. In knitting and textile field, we keep following the global leading techniqus, studying the technique flow of knitting and developed many leading specialized electric control system, such as automatic computerized glove machine, automatic computerized thread adjusting machine. All of those products are the ideal products to substitute of the European and US.It is the great contribution that Sanch has achieved in the field of knitting mechanic industry and breaking the technical barriers. Besides, Sanch offers the best optimized system integrated solutions for many fields, such as waste water processing, central air condition, frequency conversion air compressor, glass equipment, plastic products making equipments, lifting equipment, steel, etc.
In the future, we will insist on "Limitless Innovation, Endless Benediction".
Parts of Testing Equipments
Certification of The Products
Wide Application
A: We export to the USA,South America,Europe,the Middle East,Asia,Africa,etcs.


text:
Career Center
Job Seekers, Welcome to International Association of Electrical Inspectors Career Center
Sorry, we couldn't find any jobs that match your criteria.
- Broaden the active filters.
- Start over with new criteria.
- Save this criteria and receive an email whenever a new matching job is posted.
Powered By


text:
And got the idea for this:
The poster was originally $12 or something, and with my 40% discount brought the total down to about $7!
I instantly knew it'd be perfect for my sons room which is {semi} decorated in a vintage-car theme and I loved the license plates. {I actually want to change a lot to his room, but that's a whole different chapter}.
I always happen to have lots of extra pallet wood just laying around in my garage and had enough good pieces to put together a big "canvas board" and made this:
The overall size was slightly longer in length than the poster and slightly taller so it created a nice "border" around the poster. Once I got the piece assembled I gave it a good sanding using 120 grit sandpaper both back and front with emphasis on the sides since this was going in my son's room I took the extra pre-caution to eliminate any splintering of the pallet wood.
Next was time to "glue" the poster to the pallet canvas which I used mod podge to do so.
First I used a foam brush to layer on mod podge directly to the pallets, then I laid the poster down and did a layer of mod podge directly on the poster.
Next I wanted the poster to blend in so I used an off-white color paint and painted the edges of the pallet pieces and onto the poster. I followed along the cuts of the poster in between each pallet pieces also.
After everything was completely dry, I used two D rings attached to the back support pieces to hang it above J's bed.
Brand new wall art for his room for a grand total of $7 and some change. I happen to have the pallet wood, paint, mod podge, paint brush and D ring's all on hand so the only cost was the original poster.
Once I showed my bestie my newest project she immediately asked if I'd make one for her house… with a poster of Johnny Depp
I hope to slowly make some changes I really would like to do in J's room to make it more cohesive… right now just feels like it's decorated in spurts. I am thinking of doing a faux chair railing with paint to help break up the dark blue walls… feels overwhelming. I also think the piece is hung a bit too high… the beauty of hanging massive wall art by yourself {it can't always end up perfect}.
Linking up to:
Get Your Craft on Tuesday by Today's Creative Blog
Tips & Tutorials by Home Stories from A to Z
Made For You Mondays by Skip to My Lou
Weekend Wrap Up by Tatertots & Jello
And other great parties on my Party Page!


text:
(Abner, Sonia , with Namrita, Rayguel and Mishael)
Having fun in a park on a cold and foggy day.
Thank you BHAVESH
Posted by Amrita at Saturday, January 30, 2010 26 Fertilize my soul Links to this post
Labels: Photo Diary
Posted by Amrita at Tuesday, January 26, 2010 16 Fertilize my soul Links to this post
Labels: Celebrating India
Dear friends with my housekeeping,hospitality and entertainment
responsibilities I 've been slow in my blogging lately, but I have plenty of photos and posts in store.
The cold weather has also played spoilsport. The past 2 days have been better with the sun reluctantly creeping out after mid-day.Otherwise our parts have been enveloped in a thick freezing pall right out of John Carpenter 's mystery movie 'The Fog '
Around Christmastime I wrote about the bakeries where one can get their traditional Christmas cakes baked ,which are really rich fruit cakes , the British introduced to India. Very similar to the famous Yorkshire pudding.
This is the way the North Indian Christians like their Christmas cakes. Wedding cakes are also prepared in the same way-rich fruit cake with marzipan or cashew and sugar icing etc.
Earlier this month Sonia went to order some cake to take with her to Lucknow and I went with her to take photographs.
Pat a cake, Pat a cake, baker's man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it and mark it with a 'B',
And put it in the oven for Baby and me
Bushy the Baker ( so nick-named because of his thick Muslim beard) is famous all over India for his exceptional Christmas and wedding cakes.(People have taken his creations overseas too) His forefathers were bakers for the Firangi Sahibs and Memsahibs.Bushy has passed on and his sons now carry on the family business in their small bakery cum house. Let me add here that most bakers in India are Muslims (perhaps its the usage of eggs).
Here is a wedding cake being iced at the bakery.
No matter how expensive they are, one cannot imagine a wedding without them.
Posted by Amrita at Saturday, January 23, 2010 16 Fertilize my soul Links to this post
Labels: Photo Diary
Posted by Amrita at Tuesday, January 19, 2010 15 Fertilize my soul Links to this post
Labels: Photo Diary, Video


text:
- or -
Glass Doctor provides only the highest-quality service. Let us show you some great reasons to call us.
Current Offers
From priority scheduling, preferential pricing, exclusive savings, and more. Save with Advantage Plan.
Save on Glass Services
Fixed or handheld? Full-body spray or energy-efficient design? When it comes to choosing the best shower head, one size doesn't fit all. Learn about the features available from some of today's most in-demand shower head styles to help you decide which one is right for your bathroom.
...Read more
The doors in your home serve the practical purpose of partitioning rooms and providing privacy, but they also play a big role in the appearance of a room. If you're considering upgrading some of the doors in your home, Glass Doctor® recommends interior glass doors for many applications. Consider...Read more


text:
Project B (2009)
Project Title: Community Connections
Sarah Townsend Christine Ayar Hagar Shirman Sarah Lawton
Our Emerging Leaders team is working to develop an audit and recommendations of external relations core competencies for small and rural library directors and managers.
"Small and rural public libraries face a number of challenges in their operation including funding, government and community support and local advocacy. In order for the library to be an essential part of community life, the library manager or director must build connections and interrelate with various publics and individuals including local government officials, community groups, media, local businesses, and other key community leaders." (from EL project description)
At the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver, our group outlined a plan for tackling this project and networked with key individuals and groups concerned with external relations and rural public libraries. In addition, we met with our project mentor, Mary Chute and our project advisor, Joe Potacek.
We are currently operationalizing the definitions central to our research and developing questions to guide survey and interview research. In addition, we are creating a shared virtual clearinghouse of electronic resources pertinent to our project.
In July, we will present our work to the PLA Executive Board during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.


text:
Artist Profile: Liz Magic Laser
I Feel Your Pain, Liz Magic Laser, 2011. A Performa Commission. Featuring Annie Fox and Rafael Jordan. Photo: Yola Monakhov.
One of the greatest parts about Chase is the difficulty in determining who the actor is speaking to a great deal of the time - to the other actors through editing, to the camera and the viewer, to the occasional spectators and even apparently to the ATM machines themselves. Was this complication between the project and the viewer, film and theater a goal of the artwork?
For Chase I worked with each actor to make the "Man Equals Man" script resonate in a two-fold manner, both in the context of the original play's dialogue and in the immediate scenario of the bank vestibule. We were constantly juggling these two registers of meaning: the illusory space of the play and the actual space of the bank. At the beginning I told the actors they could direct their lines to bank clients, my camera, the ATM machines or other inanimate objects in the bank. I outlined these parameters and we played with each line until it struck a cord on both fictional and immediate registers. It was a challenge I put to each performer to imagine that their scene partner could be a passerby or a bank advertisement. The two-tiered approach is then repeated because we are addressing two audiences, the audience we encountered in the bank and the audience who would be watching the montaged video. One audience is exchanged for another, a passerby is incorporated as a player or a machine is treated as if it were a person. The exchangeability of all people and things loomed large throughout the project as both theme and method.
In addition to dealing with the way ATM's transform us into automatons there ...
Artist Profile: Huong Ngo
Huong Ngo is part of Fantastic Futures, a 2011 Rhizome Commissions winner for their proposal, Fantastic Futures
Acting the Words is Enacting the World, 2011 more at Enacting the Words Photo: Dwayne Dixon
Your Rhizome commission is a continuation of the Fantastic Futures project (which already includes recordings of birds in Baghdad and someone making tea in Brooklyn). It seems to be another in a continuing series of projects exploring contemporary education practices and ways of learning like Secret School and "How To Do Things With Words." How do you see this project fitting into your larger educational practice? What sort of transformations do you hope to see in education that could result from a project like Fantastic Futures?
Yes, it's continuing a collaboration with a group of students in the US (in particular at Parsons The New School for Design) and at the University of Baghdad, that began with And Longing is No Longer Sleeps (the project that we did for the exhibit "How to Do Things With Words"), and further develops some of the collaborative processes from Secret School (a curatorial and discursive project about pedagogy), Acting the Words is Enacting the World, a project with artist Hong-An Truong and a group of young folks completed this past summer, and generally the strategies and techniques that I use in my classes.
Our goals for Fantastic Futures are fairly modest: we aim towards facilitating a diversity of exchanges (experiential, social, political, etc), advocating for a free and open cultural commons, leaving a gesture that serves as a collective protest against past and future violence. Nevertheless, I always secretly hope that something from our collective process is transformative for all involved.
In an interview for the Walker Art Center, you talk about preferring to keeping these education oriented ...
Artist Profile: Artie Vierkant
Artie Vierkant, Image Objects 2011
You are continuing to explore your Image Objects series for your Rhizome commission, which seems to deal with new elements of the age-old difficulties with representation and the power of images. In your statement, you say you introduce distortion in an attempt to intentionally "not accurately represent the physical sculpture" which seems to imply that a photograph, straight out of the camera, will 'accurately represent' the physical sculpture. Do you think that this is true, or possible? What do you think that your distortions introduce to the images?
The thinking behind Image Objects has always been that by introducing distortions (and layers of other imagery) into the images I can make the viewing experience on the Internet or through other mediated sources fundamentally different from viewing the objects in an installation setting. It also allows me to make a lot more pieces than I could otherwise. These all start as digital files, so ultimately it's rather arbitrary at what point I decide that a file I'm working on is ready to be physically produced—any one of these could easily have undergone more changes, had more or less layers, &c. So by having a piece produced physically and then splitting it into all of these different variations I have the opportunity to sort of go back into it and reshape it into all of the other shapes it could have been.
All of this does stem a bit from, yes, feeling that for the most part installation photographs very accurately represent what a physical sculpture looks like. When I see documentation of works before I visit the exhibition, usually the act of visiting does little more than produce a sense of deja vu. Even if not, install photos are usually an idealized version ...
Artist Profile: Dave Greber
Dave Greber's The Fool, The Hierophant, The Devil and the Wheel
There's a rather distinct cadence to the way that people communicate in your pieces with characters often having their dialogue cut up, displaced and de-contextualized. It seems to simultaneously give them a stilted, artificial quality but also seems very true to how we're coming to communicate with text messages and the forced brevity of Twitter. Do you think that we're learning to speak from commercials?
Commercials, in their contemporary form, have their own built-in morality and sanity which are influencing the world in ways we don't fully understand yet. Is it possible to say anything "true" in the form of a commercial? Or, is the form, itself, inherently corrupt? A big-picture goal of my work is to fully harness the effectiveness of capitalist messages, for communication of real value, without satirizing them. I think we are all going through this struggle as we learn to re-communicate, every few years or so, with each new advent social media.
It seems that the majority of your videos are presented (even online) as loops - why do you think that you are drawn to the loop as a formal and narrative device?
Much of my work, exists in a sort of purgatory, where beginnings and endings aren't as apparent as in most forms of cinema. In my experience, exhibiting my work in the form of a linear-narrative leaves audiences baffled and uncomfortable. But a loop is a much more natural shape for my work. A loop gives the viewer an opportunity to linger with it if they are intrigued, or leave it behind if they want to. When I started giving the audience that power, my work became much more effective. There's a real elegant formal ...
Artist Profile: Sara Ludy
A selection from Sara Ludy's series Projection Monitor
Much of your work seems concerned with the psychological and political dimensions of interior domestic spaces whether from second life or craigslist apartment listings. What sort of spaces do you enjoy working in? Or what would be your ideal space to work in?
I enjoy the spaces of everyday life whether they be real or virtual. These include landscapes and domestic spaces. Every new space is ideal, because it has its own logic and its own story.
Projection Monitor frequently includes images of translated, scanned and often distorted plants and natural landscapes. Has your explorations in digital environments and contexts changed your perception of physical nature ('in reality')?
I make comparisons between physical and virtual nature all the time. I have the same syndrome as when you've played a video game non-stop for days and the game effects the way you perceive your surroundings. For the past year I've been documenting Second Life nearly every day, so it's only natural for there to be a virtual spillover into reality. The practice of photographing a virtual world has directly informed the way in which I photograph real life spaces to the point where I generally gravitate towards spaces that could exist in Second Life. I've been very much involved in the process of documentation for the past year. For the past 2 months I've been looking back at this documentation and creating series based on the Projection Monitor and real life photographs I have taken. I recently released a series called 'Plant Classification' on Computers Club that contains various plants and landscapes found in Second Life.
Tremblexy uses projections to create sound environments and the second life recordings include internet radios left on in the background - a ...


text:
Champaign, IL—Although skiers use terrain or skiing aggression to describe their skiing style and label themselves a black-diamond skier, a cruiser, or an all-mountain skier, instructor Chris Fellows says skiers should instead concentrate on physical attributes or limitations. "Understanding the physical components that make up a skier's fitness profile will speed up the improvement process and help pinpoint the areas of development for the fastest results," says Fellows.
In his book, Total Skiing (Human Kinetics, 2010), Fellows breaks down the four types of skiers, helping skiers identify what type they are and create an individualized training program for developing weak areas in their skiing arsenals.
"Building a program that addresses all aspects is paramount for achieving maximum performance," Fellows stresses. "A well-balanced program incorporates the exercises and drills that fill in the holes identified in a skier's profile. The approach is truly customized, not one size fits all."
Optimal Skier
Optimal skiers exhibit ideal functional movements and keen body awareness in all planes of movement. They react to terrain changes with body adjustments and refined agility skills. These skiers can pick up new skills quickly and are rarely sidelined with injuries. "As soon as fatigue sets in, most skiers compensate, straining their connective tissue," Fellows says. "Optimal skiers can withstand longer outings to ingrain high-quality movements and can practice for longer periods because of good overall alignment, mobility, and strength."
Overpowered Skier
Overpowered skiers are fit and use good mobility and stability to deal with terrain challenges.
They often use the big muscles that can generate fast, ballistic movements in order to ski well. "Overpowered skiers are powerful to the point of being blocky," Fellows explains. "Their muscular and tight bodies can be explosive while turning, but they lack a full and effective range of motion." They lack joint mobility, especially in the hips, as well as fluid core movement and finessed leg movement. "Although they have a good overall stance, when flexion and extension are required, their range of motion is limited," Fellows adds.
Underpowered Skier
Underpowered skiers have good mobility and core stability but lack overall fitness, causing them to get tossed around by building forces in the turn. "They also lack the endurance needed for longer, sustained runs," Fellows explains. "Their technique is affected by their inability to deal with the physical demands of dynamic skiing." Underpowered skiers look nimble and agile on their skis, sometimes resulting in too much range and the inability to hold on to the dramatic angles they create. "They can absorb varied terrain deeply when they are fresh, but they tire quickly and must rely on the stability of the hard, plastic shell of the boot or the tail of the ski."
Underskilled Skier
Underskilled skiers show great ability in the blocks of functional movement and fitness, but they lack technical and tactical skill. "Skiing is a sport that requires repetition of movement patterns, and underskilled skiers have not gone through all the paces yet," Fellows says. "They have a good base of functional performance, but they are weak in the skills department." Underskilled skiers look athletic when standing over the skis and can make quick changes to technique and tactics because their bodies can withstand the continuous attempts to get it right. "They stay fresh longer and can operate at peak performance for several hours. Their weak link is their lack of fundamental skills and inability to apply them to specific situations," Fellows adds.
According to Fellows, identifying a profile allows skiers to simplify the training process and address total athletic performance, not just technique or equipment. In Total Skiing he offers drills and training programs for each type of skier that can be done both on and off the slopes.
"A prescribed at-home series of exercises and drills for mobility, stability, aerobic capacity, agility, and power will deliver big paybacks in performance and will increase the fun factor on the slopes."
For more information, see Total Skiing.